Title: Dragon's Blood


Notes: Shounen ai, for those who don't read that sorta thing. Bitchy
Relena. Violence, creepy monsters, individuals with insane or icky minds.
Whole lotta angst-ing goin' on.

Pairings: Soon to be 1+2, 3+4, probably others eventually
Spoilers: Um, little personality trademarks, personal histories, etc., from
entire series.
C & C huggled and appreciated. Tell me what I'm doing wrong, I'll try to make
it better. Tell me what I'm doing right, I'll be imbued with the great power
that can only come from positive feedback, and will be doubly quick to get
the next chapter out ^_~.

Disclaimer: Gundam Wing belongs to Bandai, Sotsu Agency, I think, um,
Sunrise, and lots of other people who aren't me. If you believe I invented
these characters, I got some oceanfront property in Arizona that you might be
interested in. For those people who do own Gundam Wing, don't sue me. I have
nothing but a couple thousand dollars in tuition debt to give. College and
anime have sapped my feeble funds. Besides, I do this only out of deep love
and respect for these guys, am making no money off it, and will return them
(relatively) unharmed. Oh yeah, and any elements herein that do not belong to
Gundam Wing belong to me, so as Emperor Kuzco would say, "No touchies!"

Chapter 2
Salutations

"I do not know which to prefer,
The beauty of inflections
Or the beauty of innuendoes,
The blackbird whistling
Or just after."
-Wallace Stevens,
found in Tailchaser's Song

The throne room was still a lesson in opulence, Duo noted as he stood in the massive doorway
half an hour later. King Khusrenada had always kept it decorated in a simple but beautiful
style, but upon receiving news of Dermail's impending visit, he decided that a...less subtle
display might be called for. The impeccable taste was everpresent, but the quiet display of
civility had become one of more obvious wealth. Fine tapestries transformed the inner wall of
the long room into a verdant forest, complete with unicorns sparring good-naturedly with
thick-maned lions. Windows filled the opposite side wall allowing for a perfect view of each
sunrise. Expensive white silk and damask curtains were currently open, and the rest of the
castle and the teeming city below could be seen. The northern wall was occupied by a raised
platform, a dais on which sat three snow-pure marble thrones. The arms had been carved into
dragon's heads ages ago, and the backs held reliefs of the mystical beasts, also sparring. The
middle throne was topped by a sapphire-eyed dragon. All of them were bedecked with jeweled
strands, 'in honor of' Dermail's presence. Priceless statues (recently collected from storage)
lined the long walls, completing the rich atmosphere.

Duo threw a jaunty salute to the two guards in the doorway, just as he had done to the two
guards *outside* the doorway, and strolled into the room. Quickly slipping through the small
crowd he made his way to the dais at the far end. His mentor, the enigmatic bard known only as
Master G, was already in his customary position, seated on the platform's steps with a lyre laid
across his bony knees. His long nose and dome-shaped hair made him look like some strange-plumed
bird. With a smile Duo plopped down next to him, and engaged in his favorite 'court activity';
silently making fun of the pompous nobles that were a constant presence around the throne.

"Do you think Lady Allessa knows her hat resembles a dead turkey?" The soft, slightly raspy
voice made Duo grin. His master was well aware of his personal amusements, and often joined in.

"I'm more concerned about Lord Armaund. Any more of that powder and we'll need to break open
those windows." G chuckled, noticing that said lord was being given a wide berth. They continued
for about ten minutes, focusing on each leech in turn, until Duonoticed Trowa, and waved him
over.

"Ridiculing the regulars again?" The captain of the guard asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Only those that deserve it."

"You two are merciless," he smirked, then looked over Duo's tight black pants, knee high black
boots, and the loose-sleeved white silk shirt that fell off one shoulder. "So this is dressing
to impress?"

"Hey, there's a lot to be said for simplicity, you know. Besides, I see you didn't even try."

"There were arrangements to be made, I didn't have time." He crossed his arms defensively.

"Nah, you can't fool me, you just don't care. Well you should. For all you know, one of these
ambassadors might be really cute. You could use a date." Duo winked mischievously, and Trowa
rolled his eyes.

A sudden silence fell over the room, and everyone bowed as the royal family entered. King
Khusrenada, followed by Queen Une and Princess Mariemaia, ascended the dais and they took their
seats, the queen sitting to the king's right and the princess on his left. He nodded to the
bards and captain then gestured to the court, the nobles stood, and the audiences began. One by
one the lords and ladies came before the king, asking for his ruling in a land dispute, his
blessing for a marriage, and other equally uninteresting requests, until Mariemaia was fighting
back the urge to fidget and Treize could barely keep the boredom out of his features. Unlike
Mariemaia, Duo actually was fidgeting, leaving Trowa to elbow him roughly every ten minutes.

Finally a guard rushed silently into the room, bowing before approaching the king and whispering
to him. Treize nodded, then stood to address the court. "An aggregation of ambassadors from the
east has just arrived in our kingdom. I ask that you join me in welcoming them." Duo heaved a
sigh of relief and thanked the powers that be that the tedium was over.

The wave of muttering and whispered gossip quickly died off, and the crowd parted as a small
group of people slowly entered. Duo focused all his pent up energy into an examination of them.
At the head of the group was a boy, no older than he and Trowa. He wore a pair of loose
billowing pants, tight around the ankles, similar loose shirt, and an embroidered vest which set
off his light blue-green eyes. Blonde bangs peeked out from beneath the fabric that covered his
head and fell down to his shoulders, held in place by a silver circlet. Behind him were two much
older men, one with strange spectacles and long gray hair, the other completely bald.

Two other people stood behind them, and Duo craned his neck, trying to get a good look. Trowa
shifted beside him, and a quick glance at the tall boy revealed a surprisingly wide eye, focused
intently on the newcomers. Then the small blonde stepped forward, diverting his attention. The
boy bowed low, gracefully. "Your majesty, I thank you for your kind welcome. My name is Quatre
Raberba Winner, and I come on behalf of my father."

"Your father is a great man. His name carries much prestige even here."

A brilliant smile broke out on the boy's face. "Thank you, highness. With me are masters O," he
indicated the bald man, "and J," he pointed to the spectacled man. As he bowed, Duo noticed the
one called J had a hook in place of his left hand. Both men's gazes flickered to G, and Duo
glared at him. There couldn't be that many people in the world who insisted on letters instead
of names, of course they must know each other. Now the question was, was their arrival merely
coincedence?

The king smiled warmly-the first positive emotion he'd exhibited-and stood. "Welcome to you all.
You have traveled from afar, and surely you are tired. The hospitality of my kingdom is open to
you. Rooms have already been prepared, where you may rest, and I would like to invite you to
dine with us tonight."

"It would be an honor, my lord," Quatre answered.

"It is settled then. Maxwell?"

Duo nearly jumped. "Yes, my lord?"

"Would you escort our guests to their chambers, and join us for dinner later?"

Duo couldn't quite interpret the gleam in Treize's eye. "Certainly, your highness. It would be
my pleasure."

"My thanks." And with that, the king left, the queen following him. Mariemaia held back, sidling
up to Duo and waiting, feigning disinterest as she always did when she wanted to ask him for
something. Grinning, he struck up a conversation with Trowa, pretending not to notice, until she
cleared her throat irritably.

"Why princess, I didn't notice you there. How may I serve you?"

She stomped her little foot, all shyness gone. "I was going to ask for you to come to my dinner
party, but now I do not want you to."

Duo gasped with mock surprise. "My lady, I am sorry. Please, forgive my stupidity, and allow me
the pleasure of your company." She seemed reluctant, but Duo bowed till his forehead nearly
touched the floor, and her anger vanished with a giggle.

"Very well, you may join me. Be there at seven sharp," she declared.

"Oh, but princess, I do have to attend your father's dinner tonight." A gleam came to his eye.
"I suppose I could eat with you, my lady, then meet with his highness for dessert. But he would
have to be told..."

She took the bait with a grin. "Then I shall tell him. Father would not refuse me." She crossed
her arms and turned up her nose haughtily, and Duo couldn't hold back the laughter anymore.

"As you wish, my lady, I will be there. Now if you will excuse me, I must see to our visitors. I
hope they're a lot better than the last ones. Thank fate that Dermail's gone," he whispered
conspiratorily, earning him a glare from Trowa.

With a final goodbye he headed through the now empty room, to where G was quietly greeting his
apparent companions. G turned as he came closer. "Ah, Maxwell, if you don't mind I'd like to
take care of O and J. We know each other from way back, and have a lot of catching up to do."

"Uh...sure, I guess if they want, it's no problem."

"Good. Come along, guys, I'll show you the wine cellar, I'm sure the king won't mind us sampling
a few bottles as we're reminiscing..." Duo stared after the retreating backs confusedly, then
turned to the remainder of the group with a cough. The young blonde was flanked by two other
boys. All three were watching the old men leave, and he took the opportunity to get a good look
at them.

The boy to Quatre's right sported a small, painfully tight black ponytail. Loose pants were
barely visible under a long coat with a high collar. The silk was embroidered with the more
snake-like dragons of the east. To Quatre's left was a boy wearing...well Duo wasn't sure what
to make of his clothes. The top had sleeves that fell halfway down his legs, totally hiding his
hands. It seemed to be folded in front, one side over the other, and tucked into the pants.
Assuming they were pants. There was so much fabric in them Duo couldn't see the split. His final
observation was the swords hanging from each boy's waist.

"Well, that was interesting," he said. "Duo Maxwell, apprentice bard at your service." He gave a
flourishing mock bow, earning a grin from the blonde.

"Quatre Raberba Winner, and these are my friends and bodyguards, Chang Wufei and Heero Yui." The
ponytailed boy nodded, his elegant features and ebony eyes in a scowl that Duo assumed was
customary for him. Then the other boy turned to him...and Duo felt his breath catch in his
throat.

Fine features, golden skin...his hair was a wild dark brown, unkempt but not uncared for. And
his eyes...heavy-lidded, thick lashes, irises of the most perfect blue...Duo had to shake
himself out of that gaze, and wrenched his vision back to the blonde. He wasn't sure what the
hell that was, but he didn't have the luxury of dealing with it yet. Instead he pushed forward,
leading them out the door with a smile.

"I'll just show you to your rooms, and you can freshen up, you've been on the road long enough,
you're probably dying for a warm bath. Personally, I've never actually been on any long trips
or anything, but from what I hear, people usually like a nice hot bath after one." He continued
to ramble on, something he was exceedingly good at, and allowed his brain to temporarily shut
down, not noticing the astonished looks they were giving him.

Quatre quickly warmed up to it, even going so far as to comment here and there, so Duo started
asking them questions about their homelands. The monosyllabic answers he got from the others
made it obvious *why* Quatre was enjoying the conversation so much. Duo felt sorry for the
outgoing blonde. Months with introverts like that would've driven him insane.

In fact, mere minutes with those same introverts nearly did. After he dropped Quatre off he
tried to continue, but every question was answered with either a single word or silence. By the
time he'd shown Wufei to his room, he felt like yanking his hair in frustration.

Then he was alone with Heero. The dark haired boy hadn't said a word the entire time. As they
walked down the dimly lit halls Duo kept asking questions, but they were still met with silence.
He was about to give up when a nagging thought leapt to his mind. Stifling a mischievous grin,
he asked innocently, "What do you call that getup? Are those pants, or a skirt?" He waited,
desperate for an answer that wouldn't come, an insult, anything, and finally sighed dejectedly,
sure that the boy didn't even speak the same language.

"Hakama."

"What?" he asked, not sure he heard right.

"They're called 'hakama'. They're designed to hide one's movements from an enemy." Duo could
almost swear the boy smirked at him. "And yes, they are pants."

"Ah. So, what's the top called then?"

"A kimono."

Encouraged, Duo pressed on, again asking questions at blinding speed, but he was unable to get
another word out of the stoic boy, and when they finally arrived at the last room, right between
O's and J's, the boy nodded his thanks and silently closed the door, leaving Duo standing in the
hall, utterly confused.
* * *